Since 1974, Knox College has offered the TRIO Achievement Program as part of its Student Support Services. This program is funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Education and is dedicated to assisting students from low-income backgrounds and first-generation students.

The mission of the TRIO Achievement Program is to offer personalized support and comprehensive resources that enhance academic success, personal growth, and community engagement among its participants. The program addresses various facets of student life, including personal, financial, academic, and cultural needs. TRIO is a well-rounded support system designed to meet the diverse challenges faced by students today.

TRIO has established five key goals: to improve student retention, ensure graduation, maintain good academic standing, facilitate enrollment in graduate or professional schools, and foster a positive campus environment for its students. Through these initiatives, the program seeks to empower participants and promote their overall success in higher education, equipping them with the tools necessary to succeed.

Currently, the TRIO program is funded to assist 185 students annually but has surpassed this capacity, with a roster of 191 students and additional individuals on a waiting list. Considering that the program started out serving just 12 students when it first began 50 years ago, this expansion is very significant.

“I arrived as the director in 2007 when we were serving 160 students. In 2010, we increased to 165, and in 2015, we increased to 185. These increases were in response to Knox’s growing enrollment numbers,” said TRIO Director Lisa Lopez.

As indicated by the graph above, this academic year, the TRIO roster is composed of 59 (30.9%) first-year students, 53 (27.7%) sophomores, 37 (19.4%) juniors, and 42 (22%) seniors.

According to the U.S. Department of Education guidelines, two-thirds of the students served must be both first-generation and income-eligible or possess a documented disability. As of fall 2024, approximately 35% of students on campus qualify for TRIO, meaning they meet at least one of these criteria.

Furthermore, at least one-third of students with disabilities must meet income eligibility standards. The program is primarily funded by the U.S. Department of Education grant, which requires a new proposal every five years to sustain its funding and effectiveness.

While the percentage of TRIO-eligible students has remained stable over the years, it peaked during the 2014-15 academic year when over 60% of U.S. students met at least one eligibility criteria, highlighting the growing need for such support services.

TRIO staff evaluated data this past summer. These recent evaluations highlight that participants in the TRIO program performed better academically or in other metrics compared to their peers who are first-generation college students and income-eligible but do not participate in the program. TRIO students have achieved higher grades in their first semester and throughout their first year, earned more credits, and shown greater persistence from one academic year to the next, ultimately leading to higher graduation rates.

Many participants rate one-on-one meetings with TRIO staff as the most beneficial service offered, closely followed by the peer mentoring support provided by TRIO Team Leaders.